How Supportive Are Your Peers?

When you’re trying to be successful, it can be extremely difficult coming into contact with peers who somehow, bring you down. Perhaps they thrive on gossip, like to put forward negative points every time you have a positive one, or they have a defeatist attitude. However they manage to bring you down, it is important to recognise that they do. Social studies have proven that most peer groups tend to perform to a similar level. The people you spend time with, how they live their lives, how they view life, how much they earn and how they view success all has a great influence on how you live your life, and how much capacity you have to succeed.

“Think twice before you speak, because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another.” – Napoleon Hill

For this reason, it is extremely important that you ensure your peer group inspires you, supports you. It is important you respect them and feel positive when you are around them. If they don’t have a ‘can do’ attitude and you’re desperately trying to move forward, they will inevitably hold you back in some way or another. You may enjoy being around them, and not notice a direct issue, but they will have a huge effect on your mindset. You must not associate yourself with people who do not support your dreams. Some people simply don’t think you can do it, or believe high achievement is for ‘others’, and some people will provide you with constructive criticism based on growth – there’s a huge difference in those two things.

Supportive peers will keep your feet on the ground, but they will also encourage your mind to soar.

“Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” – Henry Ford

Different Types Of People

It is important to recognise that the different peers you have will all play different roles in your life. There will be successful entrepreneurs you may mix with who aren’t the type of people you grab a beer and pizza with on a Friday after work. There will be online mentors you Skype once a month, who have no real awareness of your personal life.

All of your peer groups are different. You will have colleagues, mentors, friends, romantic partners and business partners. Some of these people you won’t see everyday, but they still provide you with inspiration and positivity when you do interact with them. Those you do see regularly are your ‘bubble of positivity’, they are people who motivate you, who share your passions, who provide you with a boost in all areas of your life. These are all people that should provide you with support, love and inspiration.

Seize Control And Thrive In An Inspirational Peer Group

You choose who these people are, you choose who to surround yourself with. The only group you can’t choose is your family, which is a different matter altogether. But everyone else you choose to be friends with, to work with, to talk about your dreams with – they are all in your life because you have chosen them to be. So if any of them take away from you more than they give, and don’t support your dreams, they shouldn’t be part of your peer group because they will stop you achieving success.

Life is hard enough as it is because you have to deal with so many difficult and challenging things that are out of your control. Who you surround yourself with is something you can control. Recognise it, accept it and do something about it. You are only as good as the people around you.

“There are two types of people who will tell you that you cannot make a difference in this world: those who are afraid to try, and those who are afraid you will succeed” – Ray Goforth